List of best-selling female music artists in the United Kingdom

The following is a list of the best-selling female music artists in the United Kingdom, based solely on sales units published by reliable music industry-related organizations, including the British Phonographic Industry, the Official Charts Company, Music Week and Record Mirror.


30 million or more units

Artist Country of origin Period of activity Genre(s) Total certified units Claimed sales
Rihanna Barbados 2005–present Pop / R&B / Dance[1] 61.3 million[2]
Taylor Swift United States 2006–present Pop / Country / Folk[3] 58.6 million[4]
Adele United Kingdom 2008–present Pop / soul 40.7 million[5]
Beyoncé United States 1997–present R&B / pop / dance 33.84 million[6]
Ariana Grande United States 2011–present Pop / R&B 31.5 million[7]
Madonna United States 1982–present Pop / dance / electronic 32.42 million[8]
Little Mix United Kingdom 2011–2022 Pop / R&B / dance-pop 30.00 million[9]

20 million to 30 million units

Artist Country of origin Period of activity Genre(s) Total certified units Claimed sales
Dua Lipa United Kingdom 2011–2022 Pop / house / disco / R&B 28.4 million[10]
Lady Gaga United States 2008–present Pop / dance / electronic / jazz / pop rock 25.36 million[11]
P!nk United States 2000–present Pop / pop rock / R&B 26.5 million[12]
Nicki Minaj Trinidad and Tobago 2004–present Hip-hop / pop 24.26 million[13]
Whitney Houston United States 1984–2012 R&B / Pop / Soul / Gospel[14] 23.045 million[15]
Katy Perry United States 2001–present Pop 22.51 million[16]

10 million to 20 million units

Artist Country of origin Period of activity Genre(s) Total certified units Claimed sales
Sia Australia 2013–present Pop / electronica 19.86 million[17]
Billie Eilish United States 2015–present Pop / alt-pop / electropop 18.695 million[15]
Jess Glynne United Kingdom 2013–present Pop / R&B / dance 17.9 million[18]
Britney Spears United States 1998–present Pop / dance / electronic 17.385 million[19]
Celine Dion Canada 1981–present Pop rock[20] 16.715 million[21]
Mariah Carey United States 1990–present R&B / Pop[22] 16.66 million[23]
Kylie Minogue Australia 1987–present disco-pop 15.61 million[24]
Spice Girls United Kingdom 1994–2000 / 2007–2008 / 2012 / 2016 / 2018–present Pop / dance-pop 15.55 million[25]
Ellie Goulding United Kingdom 2009–present Electropop / synth-pop / indie / pop / folktronica 14.7 million[26]
Christina Aguilera United States 1999–present R&B / pop / rock 13.21 million[27]
Miley Cyrus United States 2007–present Pop 13.02 million[28]
Amy Winehouse United Kingdom 2002–2011 Soul / blue-eyed soul / neo soul / rhythm and blues / jazz 12.61 million[29]
Rita Ora United Kingdom 2008–present Pop / electropop / R&B 12.6 million[30]
Becky Hill United Kingdom 2012–present Pop / R&B 12.2 million[31]
Cardi B United States 2015–present Hip-hop 11.7 million[32]
Camila Cabello Cuba 2012–present Pop / Latin 11.6 million[33]
Lana Del Rey United States 2005–present Alternative pop / baroque pop / rock / dream pop 11.52 million[34]
Anne-Marie United Kingdom 2013–present pop / grime / R&B 11.2 million[35]
Zara Larsson Sweden 2008–present Pop / dance-pop / electropop 11.1 million[36]
Tina Turner United States 1964–2020 Rock / Pop 10.875 million[37]
Emeli Sandé United Kingdom 2008–present R&B / soul / gospel 10.725 million[38]
Halsey United States 2012–present Pop / alternative pop / R&B 10.5 million[39]

8 million to 10 million units

Artist Country of origin Period of activity Genre(s) Total certified units Claimed sales
Destiny's Child United States 1990–2006 R&B / Pop 9.6 million[40]
Leona Lewis United Kingdom 2006–present R&B / Pop / soul 9.56 million[41]
Demi Lovato United States 2002–present Pop / pop rock / R&B 9.26 million[42]
Shakira Colombia 1991–present Latin pop / pop / pop rock 8.90 million[43]
Alicia Keys United States 2001–present Hip-hop / R&B / pop 8.62 million[44]
Jessie J United Kingdom 2006–present Pop / pop rock / R&B / soul 8.36 million[45]
Shania Twain Canada 1993–present Country pop 8.22 million[46]

1 million to 8 million units

Artist Country of origin Period of activity Genre(s) Total certified units Claimed sales
Cher United States 1965–present Pop / rock / dance / folk 7.94 million[47]
Diana Ross[A] United States 1967–present R&B / Pop 7.69 million[B]
Girls Aloud United Kingdom 2002–2009 / 2012–2013 Pop / electropop / dance-pop / dance-rock 7.4 million[50]
Barbra Streisand United States 1963–present Pop / rock / dance / showtunes / standards 7.097 million
Avril Lavigne Canada 2002–present Pop / rock 6.885 million[51]
Kate Bush United Kingdom 1975–present Art pop / progressive pop / experimental pop / art rock 6.61 million[52]
Sugababes United Kingdom 1998–present Pop / R&B 6.56 million[53]
All Saints United Kingdom 1993–2001 / 2006–2008 / 2013–present Pop / electronic / R&B 5.8 million[54]
Kelly Rowland United States 1997–present R&B / Pop / hip hop / soul / dance 4.76 million[55]

5.211 million
  • Certified: 4.76 million[55]
  • Uncertified songs: 451,000 units[C]
Eternal United Kingdom 1992–2000 / 2013–2014 R&B / soul / gospel 4.25 million[57]

4.38 million
  • Certified: 4.25 million[55]
  • Uncertified songs: 130,000 units[D]
Kyla United Kingdom 2008–present UK funky / house 3.8 million[59]
Duffy United Kingdom 2004–2011 / 2015 Soul / blue-eyed soul / pop 3.4 million[60]
Missy Elliott United States 1991–present Hip-hop / R&B / progressive rap 3.32 million[61]
Alexandra Burke United Kingdom 2008–present R&B / Pop / soul / dance 3.2 million[62]

4-5 million

Reported sales:

TLC United States 1991–PRESENT R&B / soul / gospel 3.9 million[73]
Kelis United States 1997–present R&B / pop / hip-hop / soul / electronica 3.12 million[74]
Aretha Franklin United States 1954–2017 R&B / soul / gospel 3.06 million[75]
Mary J. Blige United States 1988–present R&B / hip-hop / hip-hop soul 3.02 million[76]
The Supremes United States 1959–1977 R&B / soul / pop / doo-wop / disco 1.88 million[77]

3.118 million
Toni Braxton United States 1989–present R&B 2.9 million[82]
Nina Simone United States 1954–2002 Classical / folk / gospel / blues /jazz /R&B / soul 2.06 million[83]
Dusty Springfield United Kingdom 1958–1995 Soul / blue-eyed soul / pop 2.02 million[84]
Macy Gray United States 1990–present R&B / soul / jazz 1.96 million[85]
Shirley Bassey United Kingdom 1953–present Pop 1.6 million[86]
Jennifer Hudson United States 2004–present R&B / soul 1.5 million[87]
Dione Warwick United States 1963–present Pop / R & B 1.4 million[47]
Robyn Sweden 1989–present Electropop / synth-pop / dance-pop / R&B 1.1 million[88]

1.502 million
  • 1,502,408 units[I]
Aaliyah United States 1989–2001 R&B 1 million[94]

Notes

  1. ^ Excludes all titles credited solely to The Supremes
  2. ^
    • Diana Ross: 7.37 million[48]
    • Diana Ross & The Supremes: 320,000[49]
  3. ^ Reported chart sales for songs yet to meet certification threshold:[56]
  4. ^ Reported chart sales for songs yet to meet certification threshold:[58]
  5. ^ Includes certified units combined with reported sales. Most titles listed below have reported sales higher than current certifications:
  6. ^ Reported sales of 20 Golden Greats, as of 2020.[78] The album was previously certified Platinum in 1977, when the thresholds were based on monetary revenue: Platinum (£1,000,000).[79] However, this certification is not listed on the British Phonographic Industry website.
  7. ^ Reported sales of albums yet to meet certification threshold:[80]
  8. ^ Reported chart sales of songs yet to meet certification threshold:[81]
  9. ^ Includes certified units combined with reported sales.

References

  1. ^ "Rihanna Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  2. ^ "British certifications – Rihanna". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 28, 2024. Type Rihanna in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  3. ^ "Taylor Swift Albums and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  4. ^ "British certifications – Taylor Swift". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 28, 2024. Type Taylor Swift in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  5. ^ "British certifications – Adele". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 28, 2024. Type Adele in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  6. ^ "British certifications – Beyoncé". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 28, 2024. Type Beyoncé in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  7. ^ "British certifications – Ariana Grande". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 28, 2024. Type Ariana Grande in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  8. ^ "British certifications – Madonna". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 28, 2024. Type Madonna in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  9. ^ "British certifications – Little Mix". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Little Mix in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  10. ^ "British certifications – Dua Lipa". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 28, 2024. Type Dua Lipa in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  11. ^ "British certifications – Lady Gaga". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 28, 2024. Type Lady Gaga in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  12. ^ "British certifications – Pink". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 28, 2024. Type Pink in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  13. ^ "British certifications – Nicki Minaj". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Nicki Minaj in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  14. ^ "Whitney Houston Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  15. ^ a b "British certifications – Whitney Houston". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Whitney Houston in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  16. ^ "British certifications – Katy Perry". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Katy Perry in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  17. ^ "British certifications – Sia". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Sia in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  18. ^ "British certifications – Jess Glynne". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Jess Glynne in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  19. ^ "British certifications – Britney Spears". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Britney Spears in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  20. ^ "Céline Dion Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  21. ^ "British certifications – Celine Dion". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Celine Dion in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  22. ^ "Mariah Carey Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  23. ^ "British certifications – Mariah Carey". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Mariah Carey in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  24. ^ "British certifications – Kylie Minogue". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Kylie Minogue in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  25. ^ "British certifications – Spice Girls". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Spice Girls in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  26. ^ "British certifications – Ellie Goulding". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Ellie Goulding in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  27. ^ "British certifications – Christina Aguilera". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Christina Aguilera in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  28. ^ "British certifications – Miley Cyrus". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Miley Cyrus in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  29. ^ "British certifications – Amy Winehouse". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Amy Winehouse in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  30. ^ "British certifications – Rita Ora". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Rita Ora in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  31. ^ "British certifications – Becky Hill". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Becky Hill in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  32. ^ "British certifications – Cardi B". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Cardi B in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  33. ^ "British certifications – Camila Cabello". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Camila Cabello in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  34. ^ "British certifications – Lana Del Rey". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Lana Del Rey in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  35. ^ "British certifications – Anne-Marie". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Anne-Marie in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  36. ^ "British certifications – Zara Larsson". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Zara Larsson in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  37. ^ "British certifications – Tina Turner". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Tina Turner in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  38. ^ "British certifications – Emeli Sandé". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Emeli Sandé in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  39. ^ "British certifications – Halsey". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 12, 2023. Type Halsey in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  40. ^ "British certifications – Destiny's Child". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2021. Type Destiny's Child in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  41. ^ "British certifications – Leona Lewis". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2021. Type Leona Lewis in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  42. ^ "British certifications – Demi Lovato". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2021. Type Demi Lovato in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  43. ^ "BRIT Certified". BPI. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  44. ^ "British certifications – Alicia Keys". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2021. Type Alicia Keys in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  45. ^ "British certifications – Jessie J". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2021. Type Jessie J in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  46. ^ "British certifications – Shania Twain". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2021. Type Shania Twain in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  47. ^ a b "British certifications – Cher". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2022. Type Cher in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  48. ^ "British certifications – Diana Ross". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2022. Type Diana Ross in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  49. ^ "British certifications – Diana Ross The Supremes". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2022. Type Diana Ross The Supremes in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  50. ^ "British certifications – Girls Aloud". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 15, 2022. Type Girls Aloud in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  51. ^ "British certifications – Avril Lavigne". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 28, 2024. Type Avril Lavigne in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  52. ^ "British certifications – Kate Bush". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2022. Type Kate Bush in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  53. ^ "British certifications – Sugababes". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2022. Type Sugababes in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  54. ^ "British certifications – All Saints". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 21, 2022. Type All Saints in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  55. ^ a b c "British certifications – Kelly Rowland". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2022. Type Kelly Rowland in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  56. ^ Copsey, Rob (17 April 2020). "Kelly Rowland's Official Top 10 biggest songs". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on April 19, 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  57. ^ "British certifications – Eternal". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2022. Type Eternal in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  58. ^ Myers, Justin (May 21, 2019). "The biggest Disney songs on the UK singles chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  59. ^ "British certifications – Kyla". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 21, 2022. Type Kyla in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  60. ^ "British certifications – Duffy". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 15, 2022. Type Duffy in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  61. ^ "British certifications – Missy Elliott". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 15, 2022. Type Missy Elliott in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  62. ^ a b "British certifications – Alexandra Burke". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 15, 2022. Type Alexandra Burke in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  63. ^ "Alexandra Burke - Money Management UK". Money Management UK. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  64. ^ "Official Charts Analysis: Justin Bieber takes singles summit but misses out on albums". Musicweek. November 21, 2015. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016.
  65. ^ "Official Charts Analysis: Bieber beats Cheryl to No.1 by 3,181 sales". Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  66. ^ Myers, Justin (1 December 2017). "The winner takes it all? The biggest selling X Factor winner's singles revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  67. ^ Myers, Justin (10 December 2020). "The Official Top 20 bestselling Christmas Number 1s". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  68. ^ a b c Copsey, Rob (15 March 2018). "Alexandra Burke's Official Top 10 biggest hits revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  69. ^ Jones, Alan (19 March 2012). "Official Chart Analysis: Military Wives album sells 59k to hit No.1". Music Week. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  70. ^ "Official Charts Analysis: Gary Barlow LP sells 40k". Music Week. Joe Hosken. 3 June 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  71. ^ "Official Charts Analysis: Gary Barlow tops Album and Singles lists - News - Music Week". Music Week.
  72. ^ "BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing - Alexandra Burke". BBC One. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  73. ^ "British certifications – Aretha Franklin". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2022. Type Aretha Franklin in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  74. ^ "British certifications – Kelis". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 15, 2022. Type Kelis in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  75. ^ "British certifications – Aretha Franklin". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2022. Type Aretha Franklin in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  76. ^ "British certifications – Mary J. Blige". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 15, 2022. Type Mary J. Blige in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  77. ^ a b "British certifications – The Supremes". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 13, 2022. Type The Supremes in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  78. ^ White, Adam (April 17, 2020). "Number One Across the Pond". adampwhite.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  79. ^ "TOP 60 ALBUMS" (PDF). Music Week. November 26, 1977. Retrieved January 17, 2022 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  80. ^ Phillips, Paul (December 25, 1971). "U.K. Motown in Biggest Ever Year". Billboard. p. 46. Retrieved 1 January 2020 – via Google Books.
  81. ^ Copsey, Rob (August 26, 2019). "The Official Top 100 Motown songs of the Millennium". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  82. ^ "British certifications – Toni Braxton". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 18, 2022. Type Toni Braxton in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  83. ^ "British certifications – Nina Simone". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 18, 2022. Type Nina Simone in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  84. ^ "British certifications – Dusty Springfield". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 22, 2022. Type Dusty Springfield in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  85. ^ "British certifications – Macy Gray". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 18, 2022. Type Macy Gray in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  86. ^ "British certifications – Shirley Bassey". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 22, 2022. Type Shirley Bassey in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  87. ^ "British certifications – Jennifer Hudson". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 20, 2022. Type Jennifer Hudson in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  88. ^ a b "British certifications – Robyn". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 22, 2022. Type Robyn in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  89. ^ McLean, Craig (11 June 2010). "Swedish Pop Sensation Robyn Brings 'Body Talk' To United States". Billboard. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
  90. ^ Jones, Alan (2010-09-20). "Science & Faith get The Script to number one". Music Week. Retrieved 2010-10-02.
  91. ^ Jones, Alan (2 June 2014). "Official Charts Analysis: Sam Smith surpasses 100k week one sales with debut LP". Music Week. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  92. ^ a b Copsey, Rob (24 October 2018). "Robyn's Top 10 hits on the Official Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  93. ^ Copsey, Rob (13 August 2020). "Official Charts Flashback 2007: Robyn – With Every Heartbeat". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  94. ^ "British certifications – Aaliyah". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 18, 2022. Type Aaliyah in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.

See also